Cerebellar neural markers of susceptibility to social isolation and positive affective processing

Wong, Nichol M.L.; Shao, Robin; Wu, Jingsong; Ji, Tao; Chen, Lidian; Lee, Tatia M.C.

doi:10.1007/s00429-019-01965-y

Cited by 14 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…Twenty-four studies focused on younger adults (mean age 18–60; [ 24 – 47 ]), 12 on older adults (mean age >60; [ 48 – 59 ]), two on adolescents [ 60 , 61 ], and two across the lifespan [ 62 , 63 ]. Most reports included healthy individuals while seven focused on clinical populations: four with depression [ 47 , 49 , 51 , 57 ], and one each with traumatic brain injury (TBI) [ 58 ], schizophrenia [ 28 ], and severe hearing impairment [ 27 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobiology of loneliness: a systematic review

Lam

Murray

et al. 2021

Neuropsychopharmacol.

108

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Loneliness is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Deeper understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying loneliness is needed to identify potential intervention targets. We did not find any systematic review of neurobiology of loneliness. Using MEDLINE and PsycINFO online databases, we conducted a search for peer-reviewed publications examining loneliness and neurobiology. We identified 41 studies ( n = 16,771 participants) that had employed various methods including computer tomography (CT), structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and post-mortem brain tissue RNA analysis or pathological analysis. Our synthesis of the published findings shows abnormal structure (gray matter volume or white matter integrity) and/or activity (response to pleasant versus stressful images in social versus nonsocial contexts) in the prefrontal cortex (especially medial and dorsolateral), insula (particularly anterior), amygdala, hippocampus, and posterior superior temporal cortex. The findings related to ventral striatum and cerebellum were mixed. fMRI studies reported links between loneliness and differential activation of attentional networks, visual networks, and default mode network. Loneliness was also related to biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., amyloid and tau burden). Although the published investigations have limitations, this review suggests relationships of loneliness with altered structure and function in specific brain regions and networks. We found a notable overlap in the regions involved in loneliness and compassion, the two personality traits that are inversely correlated in previous studies. We have offered recommendations for future research studies of neurobiology of loneliness.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobiology of loneliness: a systematic review

Lam

Murray

et al. 2021

Neuropsychopharmacol.

108

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“…Specifically, higher loneliness scores correlated with reduced GM volumes in the posterior superior temporal sulcus, amygdala, hippocampus/para-hippocampus and cerebellum (Kanai et al ., 2012 ; Düzel et al ., 2019 ); increased GM volumes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) (Kong et al ., 2015 ); and lower WM density in the bilateral inferior parietal lobule, right insula, posterior temporoparietal junction, posterior superior temporal sulcus, dorsomedial and rostro-lateral PFC (Nakagawa et al ., 2015 ). Moreover, increased GM cerebellar volumes were observed when comparing individuals with v. without susceptibility to loneliness (Wong et al ., 2019 ). Lastly, Stahn et al .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Studies investigating the association between loneliness and functional brain correlates analysed the blood oxygenation level-dependant (BOLD) or EEG signals of the samples. Overall, loneliness was associated with different processing of pleasant and unpleasant social stimuli and words with affective value (Cacioppo et al ., 2009 , 2016 ; Inagaki et al ., 2016 ; Wong et al ., 2019 ). Specifically, Cacioppo et al showed that, while viewing pleasant and unpleasant pictures, participants with high v. low perceived loneliness (as measured by the UCLA-LS) had reduced activations of the ventral striatum and the temporoparietal junction and greater activation of the visual cortex (Cacioppo et al ., 2009 ).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Neuroimaging studies exploring the neural basis of social isolation

Zovetti

Rossetti

Perlini

et al. 2021

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci

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According to the social brain hypothesis, the human brain includes a network designed for the processing of social information. This network includes several brain regions that elaborate social cues, interactions and contexts, i.e. prefrontal paracingulate and parietal cortices, amygdala, temporal lobes and the posterior superior temporal sulcus. While current literature suggests the importance of this network from both a psychological and evolutionary perspective, little is known about its neurobiological bases. Specifically, only a paucity of studies explored the neural underpinnings of constructs that are ascribed to the social brain network functioning, i.e. objective social isolation and perceived loneliness. As such, this review aimed to overview neuroimaging studies that investigated social isolation in healthy subjects. Social isolation correlated with both structural and functional alterations within the social brain network and in other regions that seem to support mentalising and social processes (i.e. hippocampus, insula, ventral striatum and cerebellum). However, results are mixed possibly due to the heterogeneity of methods and study design. Future neuroimaging studies with longitudinal designs are needed to measure the effect of social isolation in experimental v. control groups and to explore its relationship with perceived loneliness, ultimately helping to clarify the neural correlates of the social brain.

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“…To capture the brain functional activations during tasks, the gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequence will be used to scan, while the participants are required to complete an Emotional Stroop Task, which may cost approximately 10 min. The task [ 36 ] is a two-run modified emotion-word Stroop. Each run consists of five randomized blocks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for young individuals with high-level perceived stress: study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial

Han

et al. 2021

Trials

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Background High level of perceived stress may result in negative effects both psychologically and physically on individuals and may predispose onset of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, there is no suitable intervention for it. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) studies have shown its therapeutic efficacy in treatment resistant patients with stress-related disorders. Here we describe an exploratory study protocol to investigate the effect of the intervention for the individuals with high level of stress. Method This is a single blinded, randomized sham-controlled trial, targeting at young healthy adults aging from 18 to 24 years old. Forty eligible volunteers will be recruited and randomly divided into active and sham rTMS group. All subjects will take a set of neuropsychological and biological assessments and MRI scanning before and right after the intervention. During the interventional period, 12-session stimulations will be performed in 4 weeks with three sessions per week. The primary outcome will detect the difference of Chinese 14-item perceived stress scales between active and sham rTMS groups after intervention. Secondary outcomes will examine the differences of other affective measurements, level of cortisol, and MRI-derived neural functional measures between the two groups after intervention. Discussion This trial aims to examine the effect of the 12-session rTMS intervention on individuals with high level of perceived stress. Positive or negative findings from any of the outcome measures would further our understanding of the efficacy of the stimulation and its neural impact. If effective, it would provide an evidence for a new treatment for high perceived stress. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900027662). Registered on 23 November 2019. And all items of the WHO Trial Registry Data set can be found within the protocol.

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Cerebellar neural markers of susceptibility to social isolation and positive affective processing

Cited by 14 publications

References 61 publications

Neurobiology of loneliness: a systematic review

Neurobiology of loneliness: a systematic review

Neuroimaging studies exploring the neural basis of social isolation

The efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for young individuals with high-level perceived stress: study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial

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